OCR is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group which is a department of the University of Cambridge and Europe's largest Assessment agency. Cambridge Assessment plays a leading role in developing and delivering assessment across the world, operating in over 150 countries.

The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), now known as Cambridge Assessment, was established in 1858 and will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2008.

OCR was created in 1998 by UCLES when it was joined by the leading vocational RSA Examinations Board.

Our heritage is long established and provides us today with learned expertise across the full range of academic and vocational qualifications. Our experience, knowledge and skills have enabled us to build a reputation for reliably high standards since becoming established in 1998.

As part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, we have access to unrivalled expertise and research capability across assessment and examinations.

Our sister organisations within the group include CIE (University of Cambridge International Examinations) the largest provider of international qualifications for 14-19 year olds, and Cambridge ESOL (University of Cambridge English for speakers of Other Languages) the experts in language assessment.